Deadly night shade

[Sebastian]

For reasons that I am struggling to understand we seem to have quite a lot of it this year, especially near the muck heaps. In the last couple of years it was rare to find one plant, so I have no idea what is going on. Is anyone else having a similar problem?

 

[teasle]

I dug up a large plant from the field poo pile last week , it was deep rooted and quite hard to move.

 

[debsandpets]

There is absolutely loads of it around this year. I have lost track of how much I have pulled up now. It must be something to do with the wet winter last year and placement of seeds etc. I hadn't seen any for years until this year :-(

 

[Sebastian]

Sorry to hear, but I am kind of relieved to hear that I am not the only one suffering with this.

 

[leggs]

what I do (if possible and the horses can't reach) is spray the weeds (any) with roundup of something similar and pull it out after 2-3 days. I hope then the poison has reached the roots and if I pull and something stays behind, it won't be able to grow and multiply anymore!

 

[Orangehorse]

It has grown well this year because there was lots of rain.

 

[Ibblebibble]

i seem to have an abundance of nightshade with white flowers rather than purple, so it's not deadly or woody nightshade but i don't know what it is! either way I'm pulling it out!

 

[Ibblebibble]

i have black nightshade growing, still poisonous but not as potent as deadly nightshade. what most people call deadly nightshade is actually woody nightshade, http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/atropa_belladonna.htm that gives you good pictures of what deadly really looks like.

 

[lelly]

I've got the one with the white flowers as well. I'm pulling it out too but would be interested to know what it is.

 

[Sebastian]

I've got the one with the white flowers as well. I'm pulling it out too but would be interested to know what it is.

I believe it is actually black nightshade

 

[Evie91]

I have just removed what I thought was deadly nightshade from close to fence line. I've since been told that it was not deadly but a woodland variety that horses like to eat.
I've not taken the chance but just wondering if anyone else has heard of anything like this?

 

[Sebastian]

I have just removed what I thought was deadly nightshade from close to fence line. I've since been told that it was not deadly but a woodland variety that horses like to eat.
I've not taken the chance but just wondering if anyone else has heard of anything like this?

As far as I understand it, it is poisonous to humans and horses, but not as severe as deadly nightshade.

Contains solanine, an alkaloid glycoside. It increases bodily secretions and leads to vomiting and convulsions. The strength of its actions is said to be very dependent on the soil in which it grows with light, dry soils increasing its effects.

Though the berries are very attractive the bitter taste is a disincentive for the majority of people, especially children.

http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/solanum_dulcamara.htm

 

[Evie91]

Thanks Sebastian.